Robert Lohman was born 20 May 1919 in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have not been able to identify him in census records. He may have been the son of Fred and Olive Lohman of Indianapolis. Fred was a residential electrician. Robert Lohman was a sculptor and painter. These three paintings were offered as a lot on ebay by an Indianapolis auction house after they failed to sell at their live auction. I really like "Portrait of Phyllis" which is I why I bid on the lot. They were advertised as "three portraits of Phyllis", but I doubted that, as only the one above is titled on the back and I did not see much resemblance between the three women. The other two are well done, but not remarkable. My suspicion was confirmed when I received an email from the subject of the painting, Phyllis Fry. Her in-laws lived across the street from Mr. Lohman. He painted at least two portraits of her, a large 3' by 4' full length portrait and mine. The larger portrait was done about 1972 and mine was probably done about the same time.

    Lavon Whitmire was born on 27 July 1905 in Washington Township, Hendricks County, Indiana a daughter of Everett Mickler and Minnie M. Frazee Whitmire. Everett was working as a dairy farm laborer in 1900, a dairy farmer in 1910, and as a carpenter/contractor in 1920 and 1930. Lavon was in her parent's home from 1910-1930, but in 1930 was employed as a public school teacher in Indianapolis. The Whitmire family moved from Washington Township, Hendricks County, Indiana to Indianapolis by September 1918.

    Her name appears as "Lavon" in census records, but as "La Von" in other, later records associated with her work as an artist. She may have used the later spelling professionally. She studied with William Forsyth, Frederick Fursman, Eliot O'Hara, and Francis Chapin. She was an alumni of the Herron Art School and had a Bachelor of Arts degree. Whitmire was a member of the Indiana Artists Club, Prattlers Club (Indianapolis), and Western Art Association. She was a painter, graphic artist, and teacher. She worked as an art teacher at the T. Washington High School in Indianapolis. She exhibited at the Herron Art Institute where she won a prize in 1939. She is mentioned in Who Was Who in American Art by Falk.
    La Von Whitmire died on 6 October 1997 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.

    Wilbur W. Meese was born 25 December 1910 in Saint Joseph, Champaign County, Illinois, a son of James and Lora McKinney Meese. James Meese was a farmer. Wilbur Meese was a painter in watercolors. He studied at Circle Art Academy, Butler University, and Cleveland Art Institute. He also studied under George Jo Mess and Gordon Mess. He exhibited at the Indiana Watercolor Society and the Hoosier Salon. He won prizes at numerous exhibitions including the Indiana State Fair, Hoosier Salon, and Indiana Artists Club amongst others. Meese worked as a commercial artist, a package designer and became Art Director and Manager of Advertising Design for Eli Lilly and Company. He was married to Ella Jean Ward in 1946.
    He was a member and past president of the Indiana Artists Club, a founding member and past president of the Art Directors club of Indiana and a charter member and first president of the Watercolor Society of Indiana in 1983 where an award in his name was created by that society. Meese's work is held by numerous corporate and private collections, and Purdue, Indiana State and Indiana Universities. Meese won numerous awards including at the Hoosier Salon, the Indiana Artists Club, the Watercolor Society of Indiana and the Kentucky Watercolor Society.
    Meese is mentioned in Who Was Who in American Art by Falk, Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide, The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis by Bodenhamer, and other reference books.

    Both of these paintings came from the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Joe (Mary) Bader who lived in Indianapolis and were acquainted with Meese. Dr. Bader worked at Eli Lilly from 1966 until 1979. "Ohio Barn" was purchased in March 1975 at a charity auction to which Meese had donated it. "Yellow Ocher Victorian" was also purchased about 1975. Meese's work was selected as the cover art for the Indianapolis telephone directory in 1976.
    

    Charles Clemmens Councell was born 9 January 1896 in Marion, Indiana, the son of John Breckenridge Councell and Lucy Belle Moore. John B. Councell worked at numerous occupations, as a farmer, salesman, clerk in a filling station, etc. Charles C. Councell was a painter, sculptor, and architect. Councell served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Headquarters Company, 139th Field Artillery from October 1917 through 1 January 1919. I have read that he served in the Cavalry in France during WWI but have not found a record to support this. The 139th Field Artillery was stationed in France from 6 October 1918 until sometime in January 1919. Councell's draft registration listed his occupation as "Candidate- Reserve Officers Corp" at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Councell later attended the Art and Architecture School of the University of Illinois in where he earned a bachelor degree in 1923.
    After graduating from the U of I Councell was employed by the firm of Arthur K. McKee of Cleveland, Ohio. He married Mary  Marcy on 13 August 1926 in Cleveland. Councell later became an architectural engineer for the government and relocated to Washington, D.C. He designed numerous Federal buildings and had a role in the 1949-1952 renovation of the White House. During his time in Washington, D.C. he also worked as an artist, showing his work in several galleries. After retiring in 1960 he traveled to Europe to paint and published a book of his European sketches upon his return. The Councell's settled in Clemson, SC but made trips around the US and to Mexico and Central America.

unnamed, Charles C. Councell, 12" x 18", oil

    Councell is mentioned in numerous art reference books including Who Was Who in American Art by Falk, Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide, Mallett's Index of Artists, and others. He was a student of Eliot O'Hara and exhibited at the Corcoran Art Gallery and Washington D.C. Watercolor Club. His work was part of the permanent collection of the National College of Fine Arts, now known as the National Museum of Fine Art.
    This watercolor and one other by Councell were purchased at an auction in Washington Courthouse, Ohio in 2008. They were part of a lot of 20-30 watercolors by Councell. The purchaser understood the lot to have been consigned by the nephew of the artist. The oil painting also came from a sale that took place after Councell's death, but I do not know if it was the same sale. I suspect it is also an Oregon scene, probably Broken Top Mountain, an extinct volcano, as seen from Three Creeks Lake. Councell had one sibling, a brother, William Moore Councell, born 31 December 1894. William married Atta Bernice Billiter on 20 August 1921 in Grant County, IN. They had at least one child, a daughter, Virginia A. William was a prominent athletic coach and educator in East Cleveland, Ohio. William M. Councell died on 14 May 1959 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
    Charles C. Councell died in August 1985 at Clemson, Pickens County, South Carolina and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana. After his death, his widow, Mary Brewster Marcy Councell, established the Charles Clemens Councell Memorial Fund in Architecture at the University of Illinois. Note that his middle name is spelled with one "m" for this fund. Two examples of his signature from WWI and WWII draft registration forms show the spelling with two "m's". Mary Councell died in Clemson, SC on 23 July 1998 at the age of 98.

   There were two William Arnold Eydens, father and son, and also a son and brother named Walter E. Eyden who is reported to have been an artist, so I have researched all three and include information about these men. I am pretty certain that this painting is by William Arnold Eyden Jr. I will add a better image of this painting when I get one.
    William Arnold Eyden Sr. was born in August 1859 in Hanover, Germany. Wilhelm Eyden arrived in New York on on 13 July 1868 with his mother Doris Eyden and siblings Helene, Johanna, and Johanne. Family tradition says that William's mother died on the voyage from Germany, but this is obviously incorrect. The 1880 census confirms that he was born in Hanover, Germany. He married Elvina Goodwin in 1880 in Wayne County, IN. She was born in January 1862 in Ohio a daughter of George and Luisa Goodwin. Their son Walter Earnest was born on 29 November 1881 in Richmond, Indiana. The Eydens were living in Richmond City, Wayne County, IN in 1880 with Elvina's parents where William was employed as a chair maker. William was employed as an artist in 1900 and 1910 in Richmond where the Eydens rented a home. Censuses show that the Eydens had six children but only Walter Earnest, Florence, and William A. Jr. appear in census records. William A. Eyden Sr. died 21 March 1919 in Richmond. W. A. Eyden Sr. was an early and prominent member of the Richmond Group of artists and a founding member of the Artists Association of Richmond. He is mentioned in Mallett's Index of Artists where he is misidentified as "William T. Eyden". He is also mentioned in Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide.
    William Arnold Eyden Jr. was born on 25 February 1893 in Richmond, Indiana. He was unmarried in 1920 and 1930 living with his mother in Richmond self employed as an artist. His brother Walter Earnest was married by 1910 and employed as a salesman in 1910-1930 censuses. It has been reported that Walter was also an artist but may not have made his living painting. I have found nothing to support the claim that Walter was an artist but it seems logical given his father and brother's occupations. William Eyden Jr. gave his brother as his contact for his WWII draft registration so he may not have married. At that time William was residing in Indianapolis, IN self employed as an artist at 201 Pennway Building. William Eyden Jr. studied with his father and with Theodore Steele, John Bundy, Daniel Garber, William Chase, and Charles Hawthorne. He also studied at the Art Student's League in New York City. Eyden reportedly lived in New York City and Asheville, North Carolina at various times. I have seen one claim that Eyden maintained a gallery in New York for a decade or more but have not been able to confirm this. He was a painter in oils and watercolors and became prominent among the second generation of Richmond painters. Eyden was a member of numerous local and state artist organizations. He exhibited at several venues in Indiana and won numerous prizes. Eyden was an important art teacher and lecturer in Indiana and taught at Ball State Teacher's College, Indiana University and in public schools. He is best known for his Indiana landscapes, particularly those including beech trees. He also created New York cityscapes which I have seen examples of. William Eyden Jr. died on 16 September 1982 in Indianapolis, IN. He is mentioned in Who Was Who in American Art and Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide.  Eyden was very prolific.

    Pat Thompson is a Rochester, Indiana artist who works mainly in acrylics. She brought her work to a local spring art show in 2008. She is largely a self taught artist though she did complete the North Light Art School course in 1998 and has attended various continuing education courses. She started to show her work in 1994 and quickly started to win prizes at these shows. She has a web site and a gallery in her home town. When I first saw this painting it reminded me of another painting that I like very much and that inspired me to add it to my collection, though I very much appreciate it on it's own merits as I am attracted by light and color and this has both. It is a view of a beach on the Gulf coast of Florida.

    Frances Hammond Norris Streit was born 23 May 1918 in Fulton County, Indiana the daughter of Elmer Lee and Faye Hammond Norris. Elmer Norris was a public school teacher and principal. Frances married George B. Streit and painted under both her maiden and married names. She attended the John Herron Institute of Art where she received a BFA in Art and later attended the State University of Iowa. She won several awards at the Herron Institute including a bronze medal for mural design from the Beaux Arts Institute of Architectural Design. She moved to New York in 1943 where she taught art and painted. She retired in 1973 and devoted her time to mural design. She won a competition against 50 other artists for the commission to paint the official portrait of Governor George N Craig of Indiana. She is reported to have exhibited at the Hoosier Salon.
    Streit is not well listed in art reference books, but is listed in Who's Who in America (2002), Who's Who in the East (1992, 1994), Indiana Artists by Flora Lauter, and Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide. These paintings are from her estate and one is not signed though both bear the estate stamp from the inventory of her estate. The one that is signed is signed "Norris", so both paintings are most likely her early work. Her portrait work that I have seen is much more polished and realistic in style. Mrs. Streit died 12 January 1997 in Merrick, New York where she had resided for many years.

    Howard Leigh was born 9 August 1896 at Franklin Crossroads, Hardin County, KY, near the present day city of Cecilia, a son of James F. and Grace Leigh. By 1900 his parents had moved to Spiceland, Henry County, Indiana where James owned a farm. James Leigh died and Grace married a farmer named Henry J. Foster about 1910. During his lifetime Howard Leigh was a well known lithographer, painter, etcher, and teacher. His WWI draft card notes that he had brown hair and blue eyes.

    Louis William Bonsib was born in Vincennes, Indiana on 10 March 1892, a son of John F. and Etta M. Griffith Bonsib. His father worked as a bicycle salesman and a merchant of household goods. The family was living in Knox County, Indiana in 1900 and 1910. Louis married Marietta A. Jacobs 14 April 1917 in Marion County, Indiana. He was employed as an engraving salesman in 1920 and as the president of an advertising company in 1930, which occupation he pursued for many years.

    Francis Focer Brown was born in Glassboro, New Jersey on 19 January 1891. As a young artist he studied with J.Otis Adams, William Forsyth, and at the John Herron Art Institute. He attended the Herron Art School in Indianapolis, Ball State Teachers College (BS) and Ohio State University from which he received a Master of Arts Degree. He was a professor and Head of the Fine Arts Department at Ball State Teacher's College in Muncie, Indiana from 1925-1957 as well as the first Director of the Muncie Art Museum.

    The first two paintings above are done in pastels and the third painting, below, is done in pastel crayon. All three paintings bear the estate stamp from Brown's estate sale, but only two are signed. The painting below is closest to the Fauvist style that Brown was best known for. I suspect that all of three of these paintings came from one of his sketch books, since all were estimated as being done in 1918. I am not a big fan of the Fauvist style and like the first two the most. Brown's wife, Beulah, was also and artist and allergic to oil paints, which is why Brown is said to have often painted in other mediums.

    His work was exhibited frequently at the Hoosier Salon Indiana Artists Annual, Herron Art Museum, Ball State College, Indiana State Fair, Indiana Art Club, the Richmond Art Association, 1922 (prize); John Herron AI, 1922 (prize); Hoosier Salon, 1922-45 (awards); Cleveland Museum of Art, 1922-25; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1922, 1923, and others. He was a member of the Indiana Art Club and Hoosier Salon. He worked at the John Herron Art Institute, Ball State Teachers College, Richmond Art Association, and in various schools and libraries in Indiana.

unnamed, Francis Focer Brown, 16" x 14", egg tempura and casein

    Brown is mentioned in Mallett's Index of Artists, Falk's Who Was Who in American Art, various editions of Who's Who in American Art, Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide, Fielding's Dictionary of  American Painters Sculptors and Engravers, and other reference books. Brown died in April 1971 in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.

    Bruce A. Hume was born 8 April 1933 and died 2 February 2002 in Brownsburg, Indiana. He was a tool and gauge inspector for General Motors for 30 years before retiring in 1981 to become a self employed artist. All three of these paintings date from around the mid 1980s. Hume was largely self taught as an artist according to his widow, who wrote me a very nice letter.

    I have found records that show Hume traveled to art fairs and exhibitions in Indiana and Central Illinois in the 1980s through about 2001. In one record he was identified as being from Brown County, Indiana, though that is not accurate. Hume won the first "Best of Show" prize ever awarded at the annual Celebration of Nature Art Show in Indianapolis, Indiana in December 2001, shortly before his death. The painting was titled "Early Snow" a rural scene, and the prize was awarded by the Indiana Wildlife Artists.
    Hume's work is starting to appear at estate sales and second hand shops in Illinois and Indiana. He seemed to lean toward Fall and Winter scenes, judging by the work that I have seen so far. I like the colors and texture of his work.
    Hume's obituary appeared in the Indianapolis Star on 3 February 2002:

Bruce A. Hume, 68, Brownsburg, died Feb 2. He was a tool and gauge inspector 30 years for Allison Transmission Division of General Motors Corp., retiring in 1981. He was a member of Kingsway Christian Church. He was a self-employed artist for 20 years. Memorial contributions may be made to Chapel Rock Christian Church or Leukemia Society of America. Services: 11:30 AM Feb 5 in Conkle Funeral Home, Hendricks County Chapel at Avon, with calling from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 4. Burial: West Ridge Park Cemetery. Survivors: wife Linda Curtis Hume; sons Brently, Barton Hume; stepdaughters Tammy Opp, Carrie Koch; brothers Joe, John Hume, seven grandchildren; a great grandchild.